Read some lovely things written by people with nice hair.

Discover how you can help us sell out.

Throw your thoughts and feelings in here.

Monday April 19th 2010

Optimum are once again ‘digging into the back catalogue’ for the release of two new Blu-rays: David Lynch’s 2006 handheld-epic INLAND EMPIRE (all caps when you spell the man’s name) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar-sweeping The Last Emperor.

Let’s take a look at them.

The Last EmperorAs films go, The Last Emperor is a no-brainer for Blu-ray, and Optimum’s transfer does not disappoint. It’s so annoying not to be able to get screenshots of Blu because it really does look a treat. This webcam photo doesn’t really do it justice:

‘A feast for the eyes’ indeed.

INLAND EMPIREThis is a weird one for Blu-ray because most of it was shot in standard definition on crap old DV but as I said about The Elephant Man, any Lynch Blu-ray is a good thing. Even better, a showreel at the beginning of the disc promises an upcoming Blu release for Mulholland Drive, which would obviously be the best thing that’s ever happened anywhere ever.

Still, on the very rare occasion when you get the urge to sit down and watch INLAND EMPIRE, this won’t disappoint. From its grimy menus to its lack of chapter stops to its mystifying interviews with Lynch himself, it’s definitely a ‘title-appropriate’ release. And it looks alright too.